HP recalls computer batteries for possible burn hazards

By Erie Times-News staff

Wednesday

Mar 13, 2019 at 2:29 PMMar 13, 2019 at 2:32 PM

HP is recalling lithium-ion computer batteries in more than 128,500 laptops because of the danger of potential fire and burn hazards in cases of a battery malfunction, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall was originally announced in early January and included around 50,000 laptops but has since been expanded.

The batteries were also sold as accessories or replacement batteries for the HP ZBook Studio G4 mobile workstation; HP ProBook 4xx G5 series; HP ENVY 15; HP Mobile Thin Clients (mt21, mt22, and mt31) and for any of the products listed above.

The recall affects the battery, not the entire computer. Consumers should visit HP.com/go/batteryprogram2018 to see if their battery is included in the recall. The website provides consumers instructions on how to initiate the validation utility to check their battery and what to download if their battery is included in the recall. These batteries are not customer-replaceable. HP will provide free battery replacement services by an authorized technician.

HP has received a total of 16 reports of batteries overheating, melting or charring. The malfunctioning batteries resulted in five reports of property damage totaling $2,600, a minor injury and a single first-degree burn to the hand.

The affected laptops were sold at HP, authorized dealers nationwide and at hp.com. The batteries were shipped in notebook computers and mobile workstations sold from December 2015 through April 2018 for between $300 and $4,000 and were also sold separately between December 2015 and December 2018 for between $50 and $90.

The batteries were manufactured in China.

Consumers can call HP toll-free at 866-671-7362 for more information or find more online at HP.com/go/batteryprogram2018.